By Adekola Afolabi

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Ondo state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has again insisted that multi-level policing system remained the only panacea for better and improved security system in the country.
He revealed that the issue of state police as a way of curbing crimes and other criminal activities in the country has become imperative now more than ever before.
Akeredolu stated this yesterday at the State Christian Service in commemoration of the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration, held at St. Benedict Military Catholic Church, Owena Cantonment Nigerian Army, Akure, the Ondo state capital.
He equally called for equipping the Nigerian Military with modern equipment to help in the fight against terrorist activities, kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry and other criminal activities in Nigeria.
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration is marked annually to kindle the interest in the plight of the families, dependants and relations of Nigerians who lost their lives in the wars and peace-keeping support operations all over the world.
The Governor particularly commended the Nigerian Military counter-terrorism efforts aimed at ridding the country of all forms of criminal activities including kidnapping, armed robbery and banditry.
Governor Akeredolu equally called for more collaborative efforts among the various security agencies to successfully end all forms of insecurity in the state.
He lauded the sacrifices and selfless services of the Armed Forces which he said have ensured national cohesion and global peace.
Governor Akeredolu who disclosed that the country is facing serious security challenges at the moment including terrorist activities, kidnapping, armed robbery and banditry, also enjoined the security agents not to rest on their laurel, saying despite their concerted efforts, criminality has not abated in the state and the country at large.
“The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration is, therefore to honour the departed and appreciate the living heroes, some of whom suffered various deprivations in the course of these wars and operations,” the Governor stressed.
He reassured the state Legion of his administration’s readiness to continue to support them in order to cater for the widows and dependants of the fallen heroes, just as he urged other well meaning individuals to do same for better welfare of the ex-servicemen and the dependants of the fallen heroes.
Earlier, in his homily, the Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Most Rev. Jude Arogundade, commended the serving and the fallen heroes for their selfless service to protect the territorial integrity of the country.
According to him, their sacrifices and love for their father’s land could not be forgotten, even as he further challenged armed forces to brace up and restore normalcy in the country in the interest of peace and progress of the land.
He particularly decried high level of insecurity including banditry, killing, herdsmen clashes, kidnapping among others, saying time has come for all Nigerians to come together regardless of ethno-religious backgrounds to make the country rise again.
In his remark, the Brigade Commander of the 32 Artillery Bridage, Brigadier General. ZL Abubakar lauded the commitment and support of Governor Akeredolu to the 32 Artillery Brigade, soldiers, widows and dependents of the fallen heroes.
He further assured that the military architecture in the state would be rejigged to further arrest all forms of insecurity in the state.
Highlights of the celebration were intercessory prayers for the President and political leaders, the officers and men of the Armed Forces, unity, peace retired and fallen heroes, the widows as well as dependants of the fallen heroes.